Senate Bill S4705

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4705

SPONSOR: LANZA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the public authorities
law, in relation to congestion pricing in New York City; and repealing
certain provisions of the vehicle and traffic law, the public authori-
ties law, the public officers law, the tax law, and subpart A of part
ZZZ of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019, amending the vehicle and traffic
law and the public authorities law relating to establishing a central
business district tolling program in the city of New York and amending
the public officers law relating to confidentiality of certain public
records, relating thereto

 
PURPOSE:

Repeals congestion pricing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Article 44-C of the vehicle and traffic law is REPEALED.
              

Section 2. Subdivision 4 of section 1630 of the vehicle and traffic law,
as amended by section 2 of subpart A of part ZZZ of chapter 59 of the
laws of 2019, is amended: Charging of tolls, taxes, fees, licenses or
permits for the use of the highway or any of its parts (or entry into or
remaining within the central business district established by article
forty-four-C of this chapter), where the imposition is authorized by
law.

Section 3. Paragraph (s) of subdivision 9 of section 553 of the public
authorities law is REPEALED.

Section 4. Subdivision 12-a of section 553 of the public authorities law
is REPEALED.

Section 5. Section 553-j of the public authorities law is REPEALED.

Section 6. Paragraph (p) of subdivision 2 of section 87 of the public
officers law is REPEALED.

Section 7. Section 553-k of the public authorities law is REPEALED.

Section 8. Sections 9, 10, and 1 I of subpart A of part ZZZ of chapter
59 of the laws of 2019, amending the vehicle and traffic law and the
public authorities law relating to establishing a central business
district tolling program in the city of New York and amending the public
officers law relating to confidentiality of certain public records, are
REPEALED.

Section 9. Section 566-a of the public authorities law, as amended by
section 12 of subpart A of part ZZZ of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019,
is amended to read as follows:

§ 566-a. Tax contract by the state is in all respects for the benefit of
the people of the state of New York, for the improvement of their
health, welfare and prosperity, and for the promotion of their traffic,
and are public purposes which consist of vehicular bridges, vehicular
tunnels and approaches thereto (and the central business district toll-
ing program), the project is an essential part of the public highway
system and the authority will be performing an essential governmental
function, and the state of New York covenants with the purchasers and
with all subsequent holders and transferees of bonds issued after Janu-
ary first, nineteen hundred thirty-nine by the authority pursuant to
this title, in consideration of the acceptance of any payment for the
bonds that the bonds of the authority issued after January first, nine-
teen hundred thirty-nine pursuant to this title and the income, all
moneys, funds, tolls and other revenues pledged to pay or secure the
payment of such bonds, shall at all times be free from taxation except
for estate taxes and taxes on transfers by or in contemplation of death.
Nothing herein shall be construed to repeal or supersede any tax
exemptions granted by general or other laws.

Section 10. Subsection (jjj) of section 606 of the tax law, as added by
section 1 of subpart F of part ZZZ of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019, is
REPEALED.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Congestion pricing increases the cost to New York City drivers and
commuters from areas outside of the City. Adding additional costs to the
already skyrocketing cost of living in our state. These fees would be
charged to every vehicle, including law enforcement and emergency
personnel, entering the congestion zone regardless of how many times in
one day they enter the zone. This includes whether they are going home,
to work, to a medical appointment, shopping or dining, etc.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority should not place the burden of
their mismanagement on the drivers. Furthermore, it is also unacceptable
and improper that the details were delegated to an unelected commission
to decide rather than to those who serve and are elected by the public.

Congestion pricing is tax scheme which unfairly targets Staten Island
families and businesses. Picking the pockets of Staten Islanders for
traveling within their own city is further proof of the mismanagement of
the entire MTA system. According to the MTA's own study, it would be
both a financial and environmental burden and will result in more traf-
fic on Staten Island. Staten Islanders shouldn't carry the burden of
this tax program, especially when they will see little to no benefit.
Congestion pricing is outrageous and must be repealed.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024: S.8149 - Referred to Transportation/A.4660 - Referred to Transpor-
tation

2023: A.4660 - Held for Consideration in Transportation

2022: S.8136 - Referred to Transportation/A.7750 - Referred to Transpor-
tation

2021: A.7750 - Referred to Transportation

2020: A.8072 - Held for Consideration in Transportation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.